Experts Urge Residents to Protect Against Mosquitoes

By
Preferred Pests, Termite & Turf
|July 24, 2013

Chattanooga, Tenn. —Experts are hoping residents take extra precaution against the many mosquitoes
that have recently cropped up in the area.

Noting that plenty of these unwelcome guests are expected to join residents
as they celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend with various outdoor
activities, experts say it is important to take steps to prevent unnecessary bites.

Mosquitoes are on the march thanks to recent weather patterns in the state,
said Brad Ledford, owner of Mosquito Squad of Chattanooga.

“We’ve had a lot of afternoon thunderstorms pop up, and we’ve
also had a lot of weekend’s where it’s been raining quite
a bit,” he said. ”When you have a lot of rain and a lot of
warm weather that’s just breeding and just a formula for mosquitoes.”

One of the main species Ledford said he has seen so far this season is
the Asian tiger mosquito, one of the more aggressive types that carries disease.

The Asian tiger mosquito breeds in containers, so Ledford suggested getting
rid of any standing water that could be located near homes and other places
people frequent. Often, standing water can be found in places where it
can easily puddle, such as children’s toys, bird baths and house gutters.

For those mosquitoes that have already hatched and are looking for food,
Ledford said there are many simple ways to prevent being bitten.

“Wear light colors, wear long-sleeve shirts and long-sleeve pants,”
he said. “If you’re going out and have to be out, do wear
some sort of DEET-based repellant that you can spray your socks, you can
spray your neck and your cuffs.”

In addition to DEET, repellents with lemon eucalyptus or picaridin also
are effective, he said, although they need to be reapplied more often.

Experts are stepping up their efforts to warn residents about mosquitoes
following recent reports that there have been at least four cases of malaria
and two case of dengue fever in Tennessee this year.

In 2012, there were 11 cases of malaria and six of dengue fever. All involved
travel outside of the United States, providing evidence that mosquito-borne
illnesses continue to be a serious health threat.

“Mosquitoes aren’t simply a backyard nuisance,” said
Dr. John Dreyzehner, commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health.
“They are potential carriers of many life-threatening diseases.
This has always been the case in many areas of the world with diseases
such as malaria and dengue fever, and now West Nile virus, causing suffering
and sometimes death. We all have a responsibility to reduce mosquito breeding
areas near our homes to protect our neighbors and ourselves.”